NATIONAL PROTECTED AREAs (NPAS)
The 20 National Protected Areas cover nearly 14% of the country With large tracts of tropical monsoon forest, diverse wildlife populations and bizarre karst limestone formations riddled with caves, NPAs have an abundance of extraordinary things to see. Although most NPAs are remote and difficult to reach, there are many ecotourism activities such as trekking, rafting, bird watching and camping that allow you to experience country’s magnificent natural and cultural diversity.

From Vientiane, the most accessible NPAs is Phou Khao Khouay, where you can trek, visit spectacular waterfalls and spend the night in an elephant observation tower on the edge of the park. In the provinces, visit Nam Ha in Luang Namtha for trekking, watch birds at the Pha Phao wetland in Champasack’s Xe Pian NPA, trek Dong Phou Vieng in Savannakhet for a chance to see the beautiful. You can do caving in a number of NPAs too.